Palanquin

pal-an-ken', a covered conveyance used for one person. The typical palanquin of India is a sort of litter long enough for a person to lie in at full length. It is roofed to shed rain and is surrounded by lattice work, like that of Venetian blinds, or by curtains. A pole projecting at each end enables it to be carried on the shoulders of from one to six porters, who swing off in step at a swift pace or even at a run. A set of men attend in order to change off. Before carriage roads were built and railroads introduced, this mode of conveyance was the main dependence of Europeans who required to travel inland. A form used in Japan is suspended on an overhead pole. It has been superseded by an easy running hand cart called a jinrikisha. A palanquin in use by the mandarins of China is provided with a pair of poles or shafts at each end, and is carried by two mules, one in advance of the other. The palanquin is not different in principle from the chair still in use in China, and the sedan chair or porter's chair of western Europe. This was simply a seat for one person inclosed like a carriage. It was often elegantly upholstered. It was carried by two persons. Before the introduction of the cab people of fashion in London, Paris, and other large cities, rode in their own chairs or called a chair as they now call a cab.